Occupy Wall Street turns two months old Thursday and the protesters have called for an "International Day Of Action" for the many occupy protests that have sprung up all around the globe to stand with them in solidarity. As part of the Day of Action, Occupy Denver is calling for a full day of rallies beginning at noon at the Municipal Building on Colfax in Denver and carrying on throughout the day until midnight.
(SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOS OF TODAY'S NOON RALLY)
As of 7 a.m. (EST) Thursday morning, protesting had already begun in New York.
UPDATE:
At noon today, Occupy Denver protesters gathered at the steps of the Municipal Building across the park from the Capitol. About a dozen police officers were present on bicycles and several more officers in squad cars were parked at Civic Center Park observing the rally. The first scheduled protest of the day gathered around two-hundred peaceful protesters with their numbers growing throughout the afternoon with signs and chants aimed at the usual targets and other speeches aimed directly at Mayor Hancock.
One protester took to the bull horn and shouted simply, "Mayor Hanckock! Come out and face us!" over and again. Another protester ended his speech with, "Denver Police we'll see you in court soon!" which was met with huge cheers.
The statement is presumably a reference to Denver's top civil rights attorney David Lane's plan to file an open records request and seek a federal injunction against Denver police on behalf of Occupy Denver. Lane tells Westword that he is aiming to stop the "police from retaliating against people who give money or support to Occupy Denver." This comes in the wake of Denver police handing out tickets to drivers honking in support of protesters in the park or stopping in front of Civic Center Park.
The protesters plan to march to various locations during the day with a large rally planned for 6 p.m. at the Greek Amphitheater at Civic Center Park.
EARLIER:
Occupy movements around the nation faced devastating crackdown from local police this week. The eviction of New York's Occupy Wall Street in Zuccatti Park on Tuesday came just days before this two month anniversary of the occupy movement. Later that day a judge ruled that the protesters could return, but without tents.
Occupy Denver faced their own share of violent police action again last weekend when they were forcibly removed from the sidewalk surrounding the park as the police suddenly began enforcing a "right of way" ordinance that makes it illegal to "place any encumbrance on the public right of way" that is on "any street, alley, sidewalk, parkway or public way or place." The Denver protesters had already been evicted from Lincoln Park and told they could no longer use tents in October.
Occupy Denver is inviting anyone who is interested in participating in rallying to join them starting at 12 p.m. today or dropping by for any of the non-violent rallies throughout the afternoon. There is also a post-work rally at 6 p.m. at the Greek Amphitheatre at Civic Center Park scheduled.
For more detailed information about the days plans, visit Occupy Denver's Day of Action Facebook page.
Read Occupy Denver's press release about the "International Day of Action" below:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: OCCUPY DENVER
First Rally: Noon at Municipal Building @ 201 West Colfax Avenue
Second Rally: 6PM @ The Greek Ampitheatre in Civic Center ParkNovember 17: 60 Days of Action
We have reached a pivotal moment in history, as we find ourselves on the threshold of a great and lasting change. We at Occupy Denver stand in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and all occupations across the country and around the world. The accelerated and coordinated efforts to destroy the Occupy movement, evidenced by the forceful actions taken against the occupiers in Zucotti Park and other cities, are confirmation that the Occupy movement is working.
These actions will not stop us; they will only make us stronger. This has brought us to the precipice of tremendous change, a change for the better. We believe and know what is right and good and thus we will take that next step.
The Occupy movement stands in sharp contrast to the forces that are being marshaled against us. When they use force, we use nonviolence. When they try to isolate us, we build community. When they move against us, we call for peace and cooperation.
Together, we are standing up and speaking out for the rights guaranteed by our Constitution: the right of free assembly, the right of free speech, the right of free press. We affirm that all people are created equal and have the right to share in the prosperity of our great nation. Without such rights, then what have we? We are committed to ending the corruption of our government and restoring political power to the people. We believe that our country, and our world, can be a better place and that we must work together to make this happen. To those already standing with us: we ask that you continue to stand strong. You are making the difference. To all the rest: we need for you to join us. We need individuals and organizations from every corner of the country to join the Occupy movement now.
We call upon you who have been silent: Speak and be heard.
We call upon you who have not stood up for what you believe in: Stand and be seen.
We call upon you who have yet to put your needs on paper. Write and be counted.Make the difference and bring about the change you want to see! Join us at noon tomorrow, November 17, at Civic Center Park as we celebrate the two month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street and the nearly 2,000 Occupy movements that have sprung up around the world. There has been a coordinated effort to silence the voices of the 99%, Mayor Hancock and the Denver Police Department are scared of an awakened populace. We will call attention to the Mayor's decision to violently crackdown on Occupy Denver. We will present alternatives and show the contrast with other communities around the country and how their local governments have supported the 99% rather than attempt to silence the voice of their constituents. There will then be a 6 p.m. rally at Occupy Denver after which we will conduct a General Assembly where we will discuss the Occupy movement as a whole and how we should progress over the coming months. So come out, have your voices heard and once again stand up for freedom, for justice, and for the future of our world.
United we stand!
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